Under fire after a series of officer-involved shootings and other problems, Albuquerque police are facing the possibility of a U.S. Department of Justice investigation.

While still not indicating if a full investigation is in the works, the DOJ took a hard look at certain cases involving the Albuquerque Police Department.

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"They've done that. They've come and asked for some cases. I can't tell you which cases specifically because that's their decision to make, but again that's not unusual either," APD Chief Ray Schultz said.

It may not be unusual, but the DOJ interest coincides with pleas from community groups and families of suspects shot by police for a full-blown federal investigation. The DOJ recently completed two similar investigations into police departments in New Orleans and Seattle.

"When you look at some of the recommendations for New Orleans and Seattle and you say, 'Wow that just makes common sense.' Well for us it has for many, many, many years," Schultz said.

In fact, Schultz said APD has already implemented nearly 95 percent of the federal mandates for New Orleans and Seattle.

"I think it speaks to this idea that we've been very active and very aggressive about being a progressive police department," Mayor Richard Berry said.

City and police leaders said they have not been told whether the DOJ plans to launch an investigation into APD. Both said they'll work with the DOJ if that happens.